Green tea component epigallocatechin-3-gallate decreases expression of osteopontin via a decrease in mRNA half-life in cell lines of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction: Osteopontin (OPN) mediates metastasis and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), found in green tea, suppresses HCC tumor growth in vitro. We sought to investigate the role of EGCG in modulating OPN in cell lines of metastatic HCC.

The "weekend effect" in urgent general operative procedures.

Background: There is growing concern that the quality of inpatient care may differ on weekends versus weekdays. We assessed the "weekend effect" in common urgent general operative procedures.

Methods: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Florida State Inpatient Database (2007-2010) was queried to identify inpatient stays with urgent or emergent admissions and surgery on the same day.